NEW YORK - Former Columbia men's head soccer coach Dieter
Ficken was one of six honored last night, February 7, at the inaugural New York
City Soccer Gala held at the New York Athletic Club.

The NYC Soccer Gala was formulated to highlight and show
appreciation for the rich history of soccer in New York City. The event will
help celebrate the great tradition of soccer in NYC, as well as recognize those
who have played an influential role in the game's enhancement in the city.

Press play on the photo above to watch the tribute video
from Columbia soccer to Coach Ficken that was shown at last night's gala.

Dieter Ficken's Bio
There have been few Ivy League teams in history as dominant as the Columbia
men's soccer program of the late 1970s and early 1980's. From 1979 to 1985, the
Lions won the Ivy League title seven straight times, and advanced to the NCAA
Final Four twice. The leader of that dynasty was head coach Dieter Ficken.

In 27 years at Columbia, Coach Ficken molded the Columbia
men's soccer program into a model college team. Taking advantage of Columbia's
position in New York City, Ficken recruited some of the best American and
international collegiate players to come suit up for the Lions.

On the pitch, Ficken directed Columbia to 252 victories in
443 games, both all-time school records. In his first seven seasons at the
helm, his teams posted a winning percentage of .888 in Ivy League contests,
including three undefeated conference seasons.

Over the course of his career, Ficken coached 10 Ivy League
Players of the Year and 10 All-Americans. He was recognized as Regional Coach
of the Year in 1979 when Columbia made the Final Four and National Coach of the
Year in 1983, when the Lions came within inches of a National Championship.
Prior to coming to Columbia, Ficken was the head coach at his alma mater, Long
Island University, Brooklyn for four seasons and led the Blackbirds to an
impressive 32-9-7 record and three postseason berths.

As a player, Ficken was a member of the LIU team for four
seasons and was a member of the program's first postseason appearances in 1963
and 1965. He went on to play professionally for Entracht S.C. of the German
American Soccer League from 1970-74. Ficken also made a brief appearance with
the United States national team, earning a cap in a 2-1 World Cup qualification
loss to Mexico in 1972.